Miami-Dade County to partner with Air Force Reserve to conduct aerial spraying for mosquitoes

(MIAMI, July 29, 2014) – The Miami-Dade County Public Works and Waste Management Department (PWWM) is teaming up with the Air Force Reserve Command’s 910th Airlift Wing from Youngstown, Ohio, to conduct mosquito control aerial spraying operations from July 29th, through July 31st, 2014.

Miami-Dade County will provide pesticides, certified for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida for mosquito control. The 910th Airlift Wing will supply the pilots and the aircraft, a specially equipped C-130H turboprop cargo plane.

The aerial mosquito control flights will take place during the final two daylight hours prior to sunset, and up to 30 minutes after sunset, weather permitting. The four-engine C-130H aircraft will be flying as low as 150 feet above the ground covering Homestead Air Reserve Base, Homestead, the Redlands, Florida City, areas east of US 1 (parts of Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay) and areas of western Miami-Dade County (parts of West Kendall and Tamiami). (See map)

The purpose of this aerial spraying mission is both to train the aircrew and to reduce the infestation of mosquitoes within populated areas of Miami-Dade County where mosquito counts have exceeded existing standards, and the number of complaints has increased. Beekeepers are asked to keep their bees covered during the spraying operations in their particular area. Individuals with known allergic reactions should remain indoors.

Residents with questions about the aerial spraying, or complaints about mosquitoes, can call the County’s Answer Center at 3-1-1.